specimen

noun

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spec·i·men | \ ˈspes-mən

, ˈspe-sə- \

Definition of specimen

1a : an individual, item, or part considered typical of a group, class, or whole

b : a portion or quantity of material for use in testing, examination, or study a urine specimen

2a : something that obviously belongs to a particular category but is noticed by reason of an individual distinguishing characteristic

b : person, individual he's a tough specimen

3 : a plant grown for exhibition or in the open to display its full development specimen trees

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Phrases Containing specimen Learn More About specimen

Choose the Right Synonym for specimen

instance, case, illustration, example, sample, specimen mean something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category. instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain. an instance of history repeating itself case is used to direct attention to a real or assumed occurrence or situation that is to be considered, studied, or dealt with. a case of mistaken identity illustration applies to an instance offered as a means of clarifying or illuminating a general statement. a telling illustration of Murphy's Law example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case. a typical example of bureaucratic waste sample implies a part or unit taken at random from a larger whole and so presumed to be typical of its qualities. show us a sample of your work specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available. one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art

Examples of specimen in a Sentence

The church is a magnificent specimen of baroque architecture. Her dance partner is a superb physical specimen.

Recent Examples on the Web The way that this specimen was preserved indicates more of its bones could still be uncovered, and the scientists plan to continue excavations next year, per CBS. — Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Aug. 2022 Miraculously, this specimen was saved from being sold for scrap metal and restored in 2004 by Dominique Tessier, who rebuilt the Hampton Court Palace Concours winner from just three reference photos of the original. — Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 12 Aug. 2022 This specimen has not yet been given a nickname; the new (unidentified) owner will get to pick the moniker of their choice. — Stephanie Mlot, PCMAG, 1 Aug. 2022 McKim produced a flawless specimen of High Renaissance classicism, executed in lustrous Tennessee marble, one of the world’s loveliest libraries. — Michael J. Lewis, WSJ, 27 July 2022 The largest specimen of the species can be found in La Rinconada Gardens in Bolivia, with leaves of up to 10.5 feet in width. — Amarachi Orie, CNN, 4 July 2022 Complete deinonychus fossils are among the rarest of all dinosaur skeletons, and Hector is the only complete specimen in private hands, according to Christie’s (two others reside in museum collections). — Carlie Porterfield, Forbes, 13 May 2022 The shape makes the weeping redbud a great specimen in any landscape. — Chris Mckeown, The Enquirer, 9 Apr. 2022 The same team of researchers purports that for every 80 million adult T. rexs, there is only one clearly identifiable specimen in a museum. — Katie Hunt, CNN, 21 Sep. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'specimen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries Near specimen

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specimen

specimen plant

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Last Updated

25 Sep 2022

Cite this Entry

“Specimen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/specimen. Accessed 1 Oct. 2022.

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More Definitions for specimen

specimen

noun

spec·i·men | \ ˈspe-sə-mən

Kids Definition of specimen

1 : something collected as a sample or for examination

2 : a notable example of something The cathedral is a magnificent specimen of medieval architecture.

3 : an example of a type of person … the specimen of the British nobility present happened to be the most ordinary man of the party.— Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

specimen

noun

spec·i·men | \ ˈspes-(ə-)mən